Expandable display rack

ABSTRACT

A display rack comprises a pair of vertical supports, and a number of shelves which can be placed at various locations on the supports. To accommodate shelves of different widths, the vertical supports are interconnected by diagonal braces whose angle can be changed to alter the spacing between the supports, while maintaining them parallel and vertical.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Display racks for merchandise typically include a number ofshelves and a support structure designed for those shelves. It is notpossible to adjust the width of such display racks, to accommodateshelves of different widths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An object of the invention is to provide a display rack withhorizontal adjustability. This object is achieved by using a pair ofindividual vertical support assemblies, which are interconnected bydiagonal braces having plural attachment points to the supports, oradjustable length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] In the accompanying drawings:

[0004]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a display rack embodying theinvention;

[0005]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0006]FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof, taken from the front andright side;

[0007]FIG. 4 is a rear elevation thereof;

[0008]FIG. 5 is a front elevation thereof;

[0009]FIG. 6 is a right side view thereof, the left side view (notshown) being identical;

[0010]FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 3, with shelves installed on the rack;and

[0011]FIG. 8 is a rear elevation, like FIG. 4, showing a first modifiedform of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] FIGS. 1-7 show a display rack comprising a left vertical supportassembly 10, a right vertical support assembly 12, and a pair of crosseddiagonal braces 14, 16. Each of the vertical support assemblies isformed from a straight vertical tube 18 and a bent tube 20 having ahorizontal segment 22 parallel to the floor and an oblique segment 24extending upwardly and rearwardly from the bend 26 connecting the twosegments. The ends of the vertical tube 18 are connected to therespective ends of the bent tube 20 by fasteners such as bolts 28. Othermeans of attachment such as welding might be used as an alternative. Twofeet 30 are installed in the bottom of each of the horizontal segments22.

[0013] The horizontal braces are attached to the vertical tubes 18 byfasteners such as screws which extend through holes at either end ofeach braces into holes in the vertical tubes. A single hole 32 isprovided near the bottom of each vertical tube, and a number ofvertically spaced holes 34 are formed at the upper end. One can easilyadjust the spacing between the vertical support assemblies by placingthe screws in different ones of the spaced holes 34.

[0014]FIG. 7 shows the rack, completed by the addition of horizontalshelves 40. Each shelf is supported on the vertical tube by bracketshaving tabs 42 which seat in slots 44 in the front side of the verticaltubes. The height of the shelves can be independently adjusted in awell-known manner.

[0015]FIG. 8 shows an alternative form of the invention, wherein thereis only a single screw hole 34′ at the top of each tube 18′. In thiscase, the connection points between the braces and the posts cannot bechanged to adjust the width of the rack. Instead, the diagonal braces14′ and 16′ have plural holes 19 near their centers, for receivingbolts, screws or pins joining the braces together. In order to expandthe rack, the two segments 15′, 17′ making up either brace arelengthened by removing the fasteners connecting them and reinserting thebolts in different holes. Conversely, the braces may be shortened tonarrow the rack.

[0016] Inasmuch as the invention is subject to various modifications, itis intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as merely illustrative of the invention defined bythe following claims.

We claim:
 1. An expandable display rack comprising a pair of verticalsupports, at least one shelf, means for supporting the shelf horizontalon both of said vertical supports, a pair of diagonal bracesinterconnecting said vertical supports so as to maintain them parallel,connection points on each vertical support for respective ends of thebraces, and means for changing the arrangement of the braces so that thehorizontal distance between the supports can be changed to accommodateshelves of different widths.
 2. The expandable display rack of claim 1,wherein each of said vertical supports comprises a vertical tube havingplural longitudinally spaced holes therein providing alternativelocations for receiving a fastener securing one end of a respectivehorizontal brace to the tube.
 3. The expandable display rack of claim 2,wherein the plural longitudinally spaced holes are disposed near anupper end of each vertical tube.
 4. The expandable display rack of claim1, wherein the means for supporting the shelf is vertically adjustable.5. The expandable display rack of claim 1, wherein each of said diagonalbraces has an adjustable length.
 6. The expandable display rack of claim5, wherein each of said diagonal braces comprises plural segments havingalternative interconnection points.
 7. The expandable display rack ofclaim 6, wherein each of said segments has plural holes extendingthrough its thickness and spaced so as to receive fasteners inalternative holes so as to permit adjustment of the length of eachbrace.